Pocono Wedding Planning Tips & Ideas

Starting planning your perfect Pocono Mountains wedding: find information and tips from local experts.

Located about 100 miles from major cities like Philadelphia and New York, the Pocono Mountains is ideal for destination weddings. A two-hour drive will bring you and your guests to a region of idyllic natural beauty, full of stunning backdrops for brides and grooms to say “I do.”

Wed in the Pocono Mountains, and you’ll get a one-of-a-kind celebration in a one-of-a-kind setting. With four distinct seasons, our ever-changing landscape of rolling hills, lush woodlands, clear lakes and waterways is home to a wide variety of wedding venues, from sprawling resorts to charming inns, B&B's, parks and banquet halls. Wedding professionals in the Poconos draw from decades of experience to design special days that exceed expectations. Keep reading to find important wedding planning information as well as tips and perspectives from local event planners.

Basic Requirements for a Wedding in the Poconos

Both parties must be at least eighteen years old and single. If either party is under the age of eighteen, parental consent is required. If a couple meets these standard requirements, they are qualified to begin planning their Pocono Mountains wedding.


 

Marriage License Information

Couples getting married in the Pocono Mountains can apply for a marriage license at the office of the Clerk of Orphans’ Court in any Pennsylvania State Courthouse. Both parties must apply in person and may pick up the marriage license after a mandatory three-day waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days and may only be used in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In order to apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania, you must bring the following items to the courthouse:

  1. Identification. Both parties must present a birth certificate (raised seal) and/or a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport, depending on the county in which the application is filed. Some counties do not accept birth certificates.
  2. $32.50-$50 in cash.The cost of a marriage license varies in the four counties in the Pocono Mountains region. The cost in Monroe County is $40; Wayne County $35; Pike County $32.50 and Carbon County $50. *Prices confirmed in August 2021. Details subject to change.
  3. Divorce Decree. A certified copy of each divorce decree, or death certificate if widowed, must be submitted by each previously married party at the time of application.

NOTE: All forms submitted for a marriage license must have original signatures.


Pocono Mountains Courthouses

There are four courthouses in the Pocono Mountains region, one in each of our region’s four counties.

Carbon County Courthouse
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
570-325-2261

Pike County Courthouse
Milford, PA 18337
570-296-7231

Monroe County Courthouse
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-517-3385

Wayne County Courthouse
Honesdale, PA 18431
570-253-5970


Pocono Mountains Officiants

Selecting an officiant is an important step in the wedding planning process. If you choose to be wed by a magistrate or judge, an appointment is requested. Most properties will help you to make those arrangements. Mayors, ministers or District Justices (depending on the county) may also be able to perform wedding ceremonies. Listings can be obtained by calling the County Courthouses. 

Pocono Mountains Magistrates By County (confirmed: 11/9/2023)

MONROE COUNTY

CARBON COUNTY 

Kristina Anzini

570-420-3492

William J. Kissner

610-826-3707

Michael R. Muth

570-420-3496

Eric M. Schrantz

570-325-2751

Danielle Travagline

570-894-8566

Casimir T. Kosciolek

570-645-3024

Paul J. Gasper

570-420-3494

Joseph D. Homanko, SR.

570-427-4100

Daniel Kresge

570-629-1460

   

Colleen Mancuso

570-992-4919

WAYNE COUNTY 

Brian G. Germano

570-223-1287

Bonnie L. Carney

570-226-4981

Phillip R. Riley

570-595-2520

Kay Bates

570-253-5970

John R. Caffese

570-646-4637

Jonathan Dunsinger

570-448-2061

PIKE COUNTY 

   

Deborah Fischer

570-296-8108

   

Randy Schmalzle

570-226-9650

   

Alan B. Cooper

570-296-7726

   

Paul Menditto

570-828-2880

   

 

Pocono Wedding Planner Insights

Why choose the Pocono Mountains for your wedding? Local event experts share what sets our region apart.

“In my experience as a wedding planner for some 32 years, the true reasons couples choose the area (and the Inn) are the diversity of our offerings and the gracious hospitality and warm welcome they receive from all Pocono properties. Whether they are planning to marry in the woods or overlooking the mountains, in a champagne-glass-shaped pool or at the top of a ski slope, Pocono properties welcome every couple with open arms and will happily help them create their vision of the #bestdayever!”

Stroudsmoor Country Inn


“Weddings and wedding planning can be a stressful task for any couple. Getting married in the Poconos alleviates a lot of that stress. We are an area where you have all-inclusive options for every wedding, from an intimate elopement to a reception for hundreds of guests. Having a full-service wedding destination is one of the largest advantages to getting married in the Pocono Mountains.”

Cove Pocono Resorts


"Our beautiful bodies of water are one of the many things that draw in our couples. From the cascading falls at Ledges, the calming sounds of the river at Settlers, to the waves of Lake Wallenpaupack at Silver Birches, our couples are not only able to capture beautiful and timeless photos, but also create a wedding experience they and their guests will surely never forget."

Ledges Hotel, The Settlers Inn, Silver Birches Resort


“Only a few hours away from the Northeast’s major metropolitan areas, Woodloch’s serene lake and mountain setting allows guests to feel like they’re a world away from all of the urban hustle and bustle. An all-inclusive resort set on over 1,000 sprawling acres, Woodloch offers wedding guests more than a place to sleep but also a place to play. The “cruise on land” feel of the resort provides guests with a complete vacation to surround the wedding."

Woodloch Resort


“We typically hear that people really like our balance of rustic nature and modern amenities. ‘A classic country style that says professional and excellence’ is what one Bride wrote about us.”

Trout Lake Retreats


“Everyone wants their wedding day to be picture-perfect, and having your wedding at Blue Mountain Resort provides just that. Everything we provide, including breathtaking views of the Pocono Mountains, modernly gorgeous ballrooms and an award-winning culinary team, makes every wedding at our Resort one that you will never forget!”

Blue Mountain Resort

“Your wedding is the most important day of the year, and at Camelback Resort it's not just a wedding - it's an experience. The day you’ve always dreamed of with views you’ll never forget. Say ‘I do’ with a breathtaking backdrop of the Pocono Mountains, then dance the night away under the romantic lights of our grand ballroom. Create an interactive wedding experience for your guests, guaranteed to have your guests toasting you at the end of the night. To have. To hold. To never forget.”
Camelback Resort


Check out our weddings pages to find the venue, packages and services perfect for your special day. Need a helping hand? Fill out our weddings inquiry form to request more info.

Top